Chapter Seven: Courage, Loyalty, and Honor

His hair is golden yellow, resembling the midday sun, and is quite unique

Lin Xi stepped out of the tent, and when the first ray of sunlight shone on his face, his heart felt warm as well. These four "earth bags" were just as endearing as his classmates from university. Although the brand new light red silk robe was somewhat gaudy, it had been personally chosen by his mother, and every corner had been meticulously ironed flat by her. This made him once again feel that the world was truly beautiful

In that same year, this middle-aged man walked around the edge of the Yunqin Empire, and all the notorious bandits and robbers had completely vanished without a trace

"Hurry up and get up, there are many delicious foods prepared outside." Meng Bai's cheeks were puffed up, not knowing what he was chewing on

The entrance examination is about to begin

All four individuals were dressed in brand new clothes, their hair meticulously styled without a single strand out of place, and their faces were filled with excitement and nervousness

"Lin Xi, you should go wash up quickly. Good luck!" Zhang Ping said to Lin Xi with a serious expression

"What is the origin of Yuhua Family?" Lin Xi asked with some curiosity

Turning her head towards the sound, Lin Xi saw a pale-faced youth dressed in an unusual high-collared black robe. He was slowly drinking clear lake water from a flat white iron kettle, while putting a white flatbread into a small bag he carried with him. His face was full of arrogance and disdain, showing no intention of avoiding the gazes of Lin Xi and Meng Bai.

In the Yunqin Empire, one-third of the priests come from the Yuhua family. The members of the Yuhua family are known for their stubbornness and arrogance, and they advocate for asceticism. However, they also enjoy a good reputation within the Yunqin Empire. Many from the Yuhua family perished in the battle at Falling Star Lake, and indeed, most members of the Yuhua family maintain a good reputation. This Yuhua family... and the *Tu* *Shu* are likely aiming to enter the Spirit Ritual Department of Qingluan Academy, which is a tradition of the Yuhua family. " Zhang Ping explained in a low voice.

"Lin Xi, you should eat this." The cool lake water splashed against his face, and Lin Xi indeed felt much more awake, his fatigue gradually dissipating. Having just finished grooming, he adjusted his clothing, while Meng Bai had already run to his side, presenting a bunch of black grapes in front of Lin Xi.

That year, this middle-aged man crossed the main ridge of mountains and seas, entered the Four Seasons Plain, and walked into the then little-known Qingluan Academy

"In any case, it's just eating plain water and hard bread, being all mysterious and difficult, like a strange person who is at odds with themselves," Meng Bai muttered in dissatisfaction

Good luck to everyone

Occasionally, from the pale white of a tent beside Lin Xi, a few murmurs of sleep talk could be heard amidst deep slumber

It is merely a song that praises achievements, which has become a belief due to the legendary tales that stir one's blood and the fervor that has stained the entire Falling Star Lake, inspiring all the youth of the Yunqin Empire to pursue this glory and vow to defend it with their lives

Fifty years ago, the fifteen tribes of the Western Barbarians invaded eastward, approaching the imperial city of Zhongzhou. This middle-aged man, along with seventeen students from the Qingluan Academy, left the academy and, in one night, beheaded thirty generals of the Western Barbarians, driving the fifteen tribes back to the west of Biluo Ridge, thereby expanding the territory of the Yunqin Empire by one-third

Although Lin Xi was also quite exhausted, he found it difficult to fall asleep with his eyes closed

"Alright, I will also change into a new outfit." Lin Xi rubbed her eyes, smiled, and slowly sat up, taking a light red silk garment from her bag and putting it on

My mother chose it for me, saying that red is auspicious

Meng Bai and Lin Xi were fine, but Zhang Ping, Li He, and Xiang Lin were so nervous and excited that their bodies began to tremble slightly

"A dirt bag is just a dirt bag." At that moment, a loud, disdainful laugh reached the ears of him and Meng Bai

The prolonged singing gradually brought into focus the figure of "Director Zhang" that Lin Xi wished to know.

The song echoed more than once, and only when the night grew deep did the melody gradually fade away

Sixty years ago, a middle-aged man accompanied by a monster covered in bumps and a duck-like creature first entered the Imperial City of Zhongzhou

"Why are there so many people?" However, Lin Xi was immediately taken aback.

Honor is forged with courage and loyalty, and the fervor of the academy's predecessors ensures that their achievements endure through the ages

"It's not like you're becoming a groom, but there are indeed quite a few lovely ladies coming to the audition. Who knows, you might actually catch the eye of some prominent young lady, and then you might really end up as a groom."

The chaotic noise from outside the tent seeped in, leaving Lin Xi, who had not had enough sleep, feeling somewhat dizzy and disoriented

In the lakeside camp, there were over a hundred long tables piled high with the many delicacies mentioned by Meng Bai. There were various meats, pastries, and fruits, with many types that Lin Xi had never even seen before. The place where thousands of horse-drawn carriages had gathered last night now had at least five to six hundred more carriages, and in the distance, on the plains and hills, there were still many people and carriages on their way.

"Why is it red? Lin Xi, you are already fair-skinned, and wearing such clothing makes you look a bit effeminate."

Lin Xi closed his eyes, yet could not help but smile. His emotions were in turmoil. If entering the academy meant he could meet this middle-aged uncle from fifty years ago, then he must pass tomorrow's entrance examination to enter the sacred place in the hearts of the youth of the empire, Qingluan Academy

"Lin Xi, are you still not awake? You need to get ready, the entrance exam is about to start." The next morning, Lin Xi was awakened by such a voice.

In those ten years, Qingluan Academy transformed from an obscure small institution into a sacred place of the empire that symbolizes glory. The territory of the precarious Yunqin Empire expanded to twice its size during that decade

In that year, the Kingdom of Nanmo took the opportunity to invade from the north. The southern border troops of the Yunqin Empire were left vulnerable. This middle-aged man, along with seventeen students from the Qingluan Academy, held their ground with five thousand border troops at the Falling Star Tomb north of the Falling Star Lake for thirteen days. They killed so many that the bodies of the three hundred thousand soldiers from the Kingdom of Nanmo piled up to the height of the city walls of the Falling Star Tomb, ultimately forcing the Kingdom of Nanmo to retreat, resulting in fifty years of peace without any incursions.

"Do not pay attention to him, he is one of the cosmologists." Zhang Ping quickly approached and said in a low voice to Lin Xi and Meng Bai

"These are individuals sent by some small academies or by certain influential figures." Li Kaiyun explained softly beside Lin Xi, today he wore a white long shirt, appearing very clean. "The students admitted by the academy each year are not guaranteed, but there will certainly be a large number who cannot enter the academy. These small academies or influential figures will also select individuals they deem suitable from among the rejected students."

All candidates participating in the examination are rushing towards the eastern lakeside

Meng Bai, Zhang Ping, and others set up a tent nearby to sleep

Xia Yanbing is the youngest among the six lecturers dressed in pure black with golden trim, and behind him stands a row of students in blue garments from the academy

Aren't you nervous?" Lin Xi looked at Meng Bai with a mix of amusement and exasperation. This little chubby boy still had his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, wearing an excited expression, as if he hadn't stopped talking since last night.

They believed that it was also a form of cultivation ... ... Just as Zhang Ping was about to continue speaking, suddenly, with a loud bang, a commotion erupted not far away

A total of six rows of individuals from Qingluan Academy emerged, with those at the forefront dressed in pure black garments adorned with golden edges. Lin Xi noticed from a distance that Xia Yanbing was among them, indicating that they were likely all instructors of the academy

There is no shortage of geniuses anywhere. In my previous class, there were also those who rarely studied, slept through engineering mathematics classes, and only reviewed for a few nights before the final exam, yet managed to score full marks. Having achieved such glory, you must also be a genius, but why do you choose to refer to a palace as a department and call instructors lecturers and professors instead

The noisy sounds are mostly produced by the vehicles, while the lakeside campsite is relatively quiet, with still thousands of candidates participating in the examination, most of whom are whispering to each other.

The borderlands, the golden spoons, and the earth mounds are all singing, their dreams and the brilliance of their predecessors infusing this song with a power that resonates deeply.

Being nervous is of no use, and these things are truly delicious. This black ice candy costs five taels of silver for a skewer outside, and it is also quite hard to come by. Meng Bai said to Lin Xi, "If you find it tasty, there are more on that table over there"

When Lin Xi finally opened his eyes, he saw Meng Bai, Li Kaiyun, Zhang Ping, and Xiang Lin, who had already finished their grooming, standing at the entrance of his tent. A few rays of sunlight streamed in through the gaps between these four individuals.

He indeed arrived a bit late. Zhang Ping looked at Lin Xi, who was blinking hard. He was well aware of the pain of not having enough sleep after a month of continuous travel, but he was even more concerned that Lin Xi might be eliminated for being dazed when the entrance exam began. "Lin Xi, go wash up by the lake; it will help you feel more awake"

The entire camp was silent, and the campfire gradually extinguished. Only the ethereal fireflies danced and fluttered around. Lin Xi counted sheep and slowly drifted into slumber

Lin Xi smiled and was about to take the black grape from Meng Bai's hand. This black grape was much larger than any he had seen before, oval-shaped, resembling a large thumb, and its surface was covered with a layer of white frost, giving it a chilly appearance

Li Kaiyun and Xiang Lin also became serious at once, patting Zhang Ping, Lin Xi, and Meng Bai on the shoulder, offering their blessings

Little sister ... ... Mom and Dad, I miss you a bit ... ... Little sister ... ... This Qingluan Academy is quite interesting ... ... The long journey has truly exhausted Lin Xi, and occasionally, a few indistinct and soft murmurs of dreams can be heard from within this tent

There are eight large tents there, and now groups of people dressed in the attire of Qingluan Academy have emerged from those eight large tents.

Beef jerky is delicious

Isn't this equivalent to finishing the selection of the key first, and then moving on to the second and third tiers? Lin Xi couldn't help but chuckle again

"Fine wine and exquisite dishes can only lead to the degradation of will and soul; it is courage and loyalty, scars and tempering that constitute the most dazzling glory." Looking at the somewhat stunned Lin Xi and Meng Bai, the pale-faced youth coldly uttered these words, then turned away with an air of aloofness, not even casting another glance at Lin Xi and Meng Bai.

... ...

So it turns out he is a member of the Yuhua family, no wonder... Meng Bai suddenly realized, and in anger, he gritted his teeth at the young man in the black robe